News that Covid-19 cases are rising has led Preston College to enforce mask-wearing from Monday.

As a precautionary measure, from Monday 18 October, students and staff, unless exempt, must wear masks in all classrooms, corridors and indoor communal areas.

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It will lead to the break provided by half term, during which staff and learners on campus must wear masks.

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It is hoped that the two-week period will be sufficient to allow a return to a more voluntary but still recommended approach in November.

But the college will keep the situation under review and confirm arrangements for the next half term before the end of October.

Whilst infection numbers in the college are still low, generally mirroring the increases seen across the community, the college has taken advice from Public Health England about measures that can be undertaken to slow the rate of new infections.

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The college removed the requirement to wear masks from Monday 4 October but still recommend their use. Since then, the college has monitored the number of newly reported cases both nationally and locally.

The college said the additional measures are precautionary, but hopefully short term, and are intended to prevent the need for any further interventions. The requirement to wear a face-covering is in addition to the continued need for regular testing and proper ventilation.

The Department of Health and Social Care announced on Friday 24 September, that all 16 and 17-year-olds can now book their first Covid-19 vaccination appointment online.

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For more information, members of the public aged 16 and over can visit – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus

To find a walk-in vaccination centre, visit – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/find-a-walk-in

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